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Should Schools Be Held Accountable for Bullying?

Young Girl at Jenny F. Snap Middle School in Endicott, New York was attacked

This is the second time I have covered a news story dealing with bullying in the Union Endicott School District of Endicott, New York. Parents of the young girl, Morgan Smith got in touch with WBNG Action News after several students from Jenny F. Snap Middle School attacked their daughter in the lunchroom and no one intervened.

Morgan’s parents stated, “School aren’t doing enough when it comes to bullying.” The teen told her parents last week that other students were threatening her and she was scared to go back to school.

Jody and Joseph Smith told WBNG they contacted the school, giving them a list of names. You would think that would be enough to call for immediate action on the school’s part.

The Union Endicott School District follows the Olwens, Bully Prevention Program, which clearly states in rule number four of the programs code of conduct, if students know of someone being bullied, tell an adult at school or at home. We have provided an additional link for future use if you need to, report bullying.

So how did the system fail yet another young child? Two days later a video surfaced on Facebook, which caught the violent attack on this young girl by several students. Facebook has since removed the video. If you wish to view the video, you can go to WBNG News http://www.wbng.com/news/local/Parents-257242131.html .

Bullying doesn’t just happen with teenagers, my earlier article covered in Feb of 2014, Schools Need to Revisit Stricter and Swifter Bullying Punishments covered a story about a young girl in Union Endicott’s, Charles F. Johnson Elementary School, who was repeatedly bullied by not just another student but the parent of the other child as well.

Both incidents bring up an important question. When schools have specific protocols to follow when dealing with bullying incidents, why are children still being put at risk? When I went to school, teachers took action, and then enforced the rules. However, in today’s world teachers are afraid to intervene due to fear of being sued and fear of guns.

The Union Endicott School District, has not supplied any answers as to why this happened, or what actions they will take. However, Jody and Joseph Smith told WBNG News that all involved were suspended even their daughter.

Do you believe schools should be held accountable for bullying issues that escalate into violence, or for repeated reports of threats of violence and continued harassment? Contact your school districts Superintendent let them know enough is enough. No form of bullying is okay!

I spoke with Joseph Smith on May 3, 2014, and he informed me at this time Morgan is afraid to return to school. Morgan is currently being seen by her doctor and her parents are moving forward to pulling her out of school and looking into homeschooling their daughter.

The parents of young Morgan, also stated after the video broke with WBNG News their daughter received more threats at, which time they connected local police but were told the police really couldn’t do anything. The Smith family is looking at all options and just want what is best for their child.